I went to the Seattle Auto Show just to see the Avalon. I'm sold. They had a White Limited and a Sizzling Crimson Mica Touring. Both beautiful. I'm really glad Toyota finally put a black interior in the Avalon. Was very impressed with fit and finish and the general feel of the interior.

Will probably contact my dealer shortly and tell him I want a Champagne Mica Touring with Black interior.

The seats were firmer, but comfortable, than my 2011 Limited and had nice side bolsters. There was definitely more front passenger seat leg room than my 2011. Rear leg room appears slightly less. Loved the dash, but couldn't see instrumentation. I was very impressed with the interior. The trunk appears bigger too.

Well first my quick first impressions. (about 30 minute drive, 18-22 miles +-)

The good:

- The fit and finish is very good- The doors feel real good and solid opening & closing- The interior, (seats, floors, Center Console, Dash) is very nice- The Nav is much nicer in appearance - The GRILL is fine with the nice larger plastic plate frame that comes with the car- Back Seat Heated and spacious

The NOT so Good- The sunroof cover is WAY to thin, and cheap:( (weight savings)- The seat belt straps are thinner and feel cheap:( Although they pull nice, firm and smooth. (weight savings)- The steering wheel will take some getting use to (it's slippery so you have to hold on tightly (maybe making you tired))- Back seat should have a fan control along with the temp control- Rear seats took a long time to heat up- An awful lot of plastic (and thin too) (weight savings)- Super Saver Spare Tire (weight savings)

The Not sure yet:

- The seats are nice and firm (Long rides?)- Controls on the dash are a bit of a reach for me- Not any quieter then my 2011- Different ride then my 2011

You lucky dog. So you got to drive the new Avy (at an auto show?) How did you pull that off. From your early impressions it seems like a mixed bag. You did not mention visibility--a sour point in my 2011 Buick LaCrosse, so I have to assume it is good. Otherwise you would have noticed.

By the way, is the sunroof optional in the higher trim levels? I don't care for sunroof as use it sparingly. But it is not a deal breaker.

Hi...i bought a new Avalon in 05 (06 model) which i traded for a 2011 Avalon Limited when they told me it was just redesigned and wouldnt change for 5 years typically I soon found out it would change for late 2012 and did some research to discover i would lose about 10k in value if i kept it thru the change.After 2 Avalon limiteds I drove the new redesigned 2012 Camry Hybrid XLE and decided to downsize for the mileage and savings in insurance etc. The 2012 Camry Hybrid limited is loaded and has exceeded my expectations. It is nimble and way more quiet than my 2011 Avalon was. I love the new sound system (equal to the Avalon) and I am averaging about 39mpg even after leaving bmws at the light with my 200 HP and my childish foot taking over once in a while. It is ully redesigned and Comfortable (Im 6'2") where the 2011 Camry was uncomfortable for me. I love the BLIND SPOT MONITOR (which all cars should have to prevent accidents) and the power lumbar heated seats and its appearance and fun to drive feel while getting about twice the mileage of the 2011 Avalon!I would only complain about the fact you cant get the dark grey or black leather interior (they only offer a light grey suede leather (which i dont like). I also think any vehicle in this price range should offer standard the turn signal on the outside of the mirrors like the avalon and even the new Prius C??

I would recommend you try out the Camry Hybrid before you spend the extra money for the avalon hybrid as they are the exact same drive train and approximate weight. Its great fun to drive and the features of the XLE Camry are excellent if loaded. The Avalon will offer you more features and cost more....then it is subjective which you like better. Just a tip for any Toyota Hybrid driver ...you can maximize your mileage by making sure you average 40 ponds of air in your tires!Good luck

I bought a new Avalon limited in 05 (06 model) which i traded for a 2011 Avalon Limited when they told me it was just redesigned and wouldnt change for 5 years typically I soon found out it would change for late 2012 and did some research to discover i would lose about 10k in value if i kept it thru the change.After 2 Avalon limiteds I drove the new redesigned 2012 Camry Hybrid XLE and decided to downsize for the mileage and savings in insurance (saved 50% premium), fuel saved 50%! etc. The 2012 Camry Hybrid limited is loaded and has exceeded my expectations. It is nimble, handles fantastic and IS way more quiet than my 2011 Avalon Limited was. I love the new 7" GPS sound system (equal to the Avalon) and I am averaging about 39 MPG even after leaving bmws at the light with my 200 HP power and my childish foot taking over once in a while. It is fully redesigned and Comfortable (Im 6'2") where the 2011 Camry WAS uncomfortable for me. I love the BLIND SPOT MONITOR (which all cars should have to prevent accidents) and the power lumbar heated seats and its appearance and fun to drive feel while getting about twice the mileage of the 2011 Avalon!I would only complain about the fact you cant get the dark grey or black leather interior (they only offer a light grey suede leather (which i dont like). I also think any vehicle in this price range should offer standard the turn signal on the outside of the mirrors like the avalon and even the new Prius C??

I would recommend you try out the Camry Hybrid before you spend the extra money for the 2013 Avalon hybrid as they are the exact same drive train and approximate weight. Its great fun to drive and the features of the XLE Camry are excellent if loaded. The Avalon will offer you more features and cost more....then it is subjective which you like better. Just a tip for any Toyota Hybrid driver ...you can maximize your mileage by making sure you average 40 ponds of air in your tires!Good luck

I have owned my 2012 Camry Hybrid for almost a year now. My wife has been waiting for the 2013 Avalon, and we drove them yesterday. The dealer is trying to locate the Avalon LTD. V6 in the color she wants for us now. The Avalon Hybrid is a fine car indeed, and fuel economy/performance will equal the Camry's outstanding results, but she likes the extra smoothness and power of the V6, over the Hybrid, as she is accustomed to that from an Infinity G35, and a previous 2006 Avalon. I don't believe you can go wrong with either power train, as the new Avalon in general is exceptional, and the Toyota Hybrid system being used in the Camry, Avalon, and Lexus' is one of the best there is. Smooth for a hybrid, reliable, and at real world 40 MPG, with really good performance is truly a winner.The 2013 Avalon is certainly a stunning Toyota design, albeit that grill will need to grow on us. The build quality, design style, interior fit, finish and materials are really stunning, and rival the Lexus. The roominess, quiet ride, and a more spirited performance is going to make this flagship of Toyota a winner.

The Avalon Hybrid is a fine car indeed, and fuel economy/performance will equal the Camry's outstanding results, but she likes the extra smoothness and power of the V6, over the Hybrid,

What I find amazing is how Toyota was able to keep the non-hybrid Avalon under 3,500 pounds curb weight. Yet, the car is quiet at speed with the lowest decibel level of modern sedans (according to Inside Line) on the road today.

By comparison, my 2011 Buick LaCrosse CXS is over 4,000 pounds. GM claimed that the extra insulation and quiet glass added to the weight quotient. But, Toyota was able to silence the Avalon by using the same quiet glass technology with amazing results in mileage and hushed interior.

It took Toyota eight years between model changes but it appears the long wait has leapfrogged the Avalon over rivals, especially the LaCrosse. I am not yet in the market for a new car but when I do I will be looking closely at the new Avalon.

Well you (and many others) should and will look at the new Avalon. My first guess is many won't purchase it because it is noticeably smaller then earlier models and likely smaller then LaCrosse and others in the price range.

Now if they drive it, they won't likely consider anything else!

For me the only issues at this time are:

- Cell phone doesn't work well- Satellite Radio fades a lot more then other cars with Satellite radio- Sports ride vs Luxury (cushy) ride? This one may take some time to decide.- Remote Starter is NO WHERE near long enough range:(

Congrats on your new ride Skip. Don't know if you remember me, but I'm the guy who deserted the Avalon family for a 2013 Volvo S60 mainly because of the front grill. I had a chance to see and sit in one last week and it is a sweet car, except for the front, IMO. The bottom line is you're happy with it and how can you go wrong with an Avalon given our shared positive experience with it. Enjoy!!

Ok, we'll I just got back from my first short trip with my new toy. Here are my thoughts.

First off let me me start with a BIG

Quiet, smooth, comfortable pleasant to drive.

Seats are much more comfortable then I expected on a longer drive.

The trip was about 200 miles round trip. Mostly back roads 45 - 55 mph, and light snow all day.

I didn't think about it until I tried to load CD's, as it appears it only holds 1. I'm sure this is because of entunes and the fact it can play a iPod.

I still find the switches / controls on the top right a bit to far, but not a big deal. The lights are very nice, both headlights for lighting the road as well as the interior lights.

Something odd, is that my cell phones turns on and off all by itself, which never happened with my old Avalon, and it is the car, because when the cell phone is on my desk at workor counter at home, it doesn't do it.

The front seat heater is very good and seems more powerful than my old Avalon.

The collision avoidance is real nice.

Right Now I don't like the new radio station presets, a bit more work then the old system, but I can see where it will be easier once I get use to it.

The 3 driving modes are interesting, but I didn't pay attention much attention to them yet, so I can't comment much. I can say you can see and feel the difference when you select each mode.

The electric steering is REAL nice.

I liked the 3 trays / pockets on the old Avalon better. Things seemed to fit better and easier to access.

I love the coin tray up front.

I like the digital speedometer which is handy when setting the cruise control at 9mph over the speed limit:)

I think the answer is yes. I mean, it's a bit firmer (no where near as cushy / floaty) as before, but the seats and system deal with it very well.

My guess is, with the car being a bit smaller, it's hard to get a REAL cushy ride, and at the same time, any kind of sportiness to it. I for one would like to have seen settings to in fact get a cushy ride.

So far, on the highway this is a non-issue, as the ride on the highway, or roads that aren't nothing but potholes is very nice, just different.

I guess this is just the trend. I don't know why cars can't have a cushy ride anymore. I traded out of my 09 Genesis because it rode like a truck. I now have a 2012 LaCrosse and it rides a little firmer than the previous Avalon but still very comfortable.

The interior in the new Avalon certainly looks nice, but with the "grille", smaller size and firm ride Toyota is obviously heading a different direction with the Avalon than I care for.

The one thing I miss from my 06 is that sweet 2GR V6. What a smooth revving, refined engine.

We've done some shifting around in the fleet and I no longer drive the LaCrosse that often and unfortunately it will be giving way to an SUV of sorts since that is what my wife wants.

I'm driving a 2004 Grand Marquis at the moment, and honestly I'm in heaven. Roomy and comfortable as it gets. I've had one before along with two Town Cars.

Once we get the SUV, I may sell my 99 S10 and pick up a 2011-2012 used Avalon and keep the Mercury (was my late Grandfathers) as a spare car. My 2006 Avalon XLS remains one of my favorite cars I've owned.